Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 111-114)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we continued our Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC) in questions 111-114 (the third commandment). Here is a brief review.

WLC 111  Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

The third commandment (Exodus 20:7) has to do with honoring the name of the Lord our God. As Jesus teaches us how to pray, it is the first petition of the Lord’s prayer, “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name…” (Matthew 6:9)

WLC 112  What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing; by an holy profession, and answerable conversation, to the glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others.

It’s helpful to think about the three different parts of this answer:

(1) The extent of God’s name

When we think about the third commandment, we typically think simply of how we use God’s name in speaking or writing; however, the catechism reminds us that this commandment has to do with much more. The scope of God’s name is extended to include: the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known. So, when thinking about how we may honor the name of the Lord and not take His name in vain, we ought to consider that this includes all of the ways in which He reveals Himself and His nature.

(2) The extent of our keeping God’s name holy

Here the catechism reminds us that the way we are to keep God’s name holy extends beyond simply our words and writing. God’s name is to be holy and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, writing, an holy profession, answerable conversation. Here, the word “conversation” is used in the older sense meaning “conduct or behavior,” how one lives his or her life. Those who believe and trust in the Jesus Christ bear His name, and thus, in whatever we do in the conduct of our lives, we are bearing witness – for good or for ill – to God’s name.

(3) The end of keeping God’s name holy

The purpose of end of our keeping God’s name holy is that we might glorify God and the good of ourselves and others, as we seek to glorify God (1 Peter 2:12).

WLC 113  What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandments are, the not using of God’s name as is required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked mentioning, or otherwise using his titles, attributes, ordinances, or works, by blasphemy, perjury; all sinful cursings, oaths, vows, and lots; violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; murmuring and quarrelling at, curious prying into, and misapplying of God’s decrees and providences, misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it, the creatures, or any thing contained under the name of God, to charms, or sinful lusts and practices; the maligning, scorning, reviling, or any wise opposing of God’s truth, grace, and ways; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being ashamed of it, or a shame to it, by unconformable, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive walking, or backsliding from it.

The sins forbidden in the third commandment may be summarized under six headings:

(1) Profaning God’s name through vanity, irreverence, or blasphemy (e.g., Malachi 1:6-8)

(2) Sinful cursing, oaths, vows (e.g., Acts 23:12-14)

(3) Abusing God’s decrees and providences (e.g., Deuteronomy 29:29)

(4) Abusing God’s Word (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:3-7)

(5) Abusing God’s creation (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-14)

(6) Hypocrisy, denying, backsliding (e.g., Galatians 3:1-3)

WLC 114  What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, [The Lord thy God], and, [For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain], are because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us; especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment, albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men.

There are two separate phrases annexed to the third commandment:

(1) “The Lord thy God”

In highlighting this phrase, “the Lord thy God, the catechism is pointing us to the fact that the God and Creator of the universe has entered into covenant with His people. Therefore, He is not some distant unknown deity, but “our God” who has a person relationship with His people (Levitus 19:12).

(2) “For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”

This second phrase speaks to the fact that those who fail to keep the third commandment may escape the censures and punishments of men; however, God will surely judge them (Malachi 2:2).

Conclusion

As we read and study the required duties and forbidden sins of the ten commandments, we all are certainly convicted of the innumerable ways in which we do not conform to God’s law and the innumerable ways in which we transgress God’s law every day in thought, word, and deed. And, as we are convicted of our sin, we are also reminded of the two special uses of God’s law for the regenerate which we learned in WLC 97.

First, we grow in our assurance of salvation through faith in the Person and work of Christ. The law of God shows us how much we are bound to Christ for His fulfilling the law and enduring the curse of the law in our stead, and for our good. Second, we learn better how to love the Lord and to love our neighbor. The law of God provokes us to thankful obedience, to endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am as we learn how we may offer up our thankful obedience to our Savior in all that we think, say, and do.

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch